Keenan Reworks Canucks / Local favorite Linden is latest to be traded

Published 4:00 am, Saturday, February 7, 1998

1998-02-07 04:00:00 PDT Vancouver, British Columbia -- There can no longer be any doubt about it. For better or worse, the Vancouver Canucks are hereby officially the handiwork of coach Mike Keenan.

Keenan promised many moves in an attempt to revive the comatose Canucks, who are 13th overall and dead last in the Western Conference. He wasn't kidding -- he's pulled off four trades in the past three days, the fourth a bombshell: Trevor Linden, the player most associated with this franchise, was sent to the New York Islanders yesterday for defenseman Bryan McCabe, right wing Todd Bertuzzi and a 1998 third-round draft pick.

Linden, the Canucks' team captain until Mark Messier came along, had been at odd with Keenan since the latter became coach on November 13. Keenan bristled that injury-riddled Linden had been playing "at 50 percent capacity," and it was only a matter of time before Linden was out of there.

Linden's departure is major news around Vancouver. A Canuck since the 1988-89 season, the Team Canada Olympian was as popular for his classy demeanor and community work as he was for his solid performance on the ice. Put it this way: Linden's departure is the equivalent of Jerry Rice leaving the 49ers because he didn't get along with a new coach; there's no way any right-thinking person could conceive it.

But with Keenan at the controls, anything is possible.

"It's difficult, because I grew up here," Linden said at a press conference in Vancouver yesterday. "All the memories and the people have been tremendous. On the other hand, I knew something was going to happen. It's a chance for me to start again and look forward.

"I have to say things weren't going real well, the team was struggling and I was struggling (with a knee injury). This happening isn't the biggest surprise I've ever had."

It was clear the Canucks were going to part with one top-drawer player, either Linden or winger Alexander Mogilny, who Keenan would love to move. Instead, it was Linden, the Canucks' second all- time leading scorer. Linden was hampered by knee and rib injuries a year ago, appearing in only 49 games and scoring nine goals. He had seven goals and 14 assists in 42 contests this season.

"It was a difficult decision to make, but we think it's the right decision for us at this time," said Keenan. "We feel a change would be good for (Linden) and the direction he's going."

Linden's departure makes the other Keenan swaps mere blips on the screen. Right wing Mike Sillinger was sent to Philadelphia for a conditional sixth-round pick on Thursday, and veteran center Peter Zezel was picked up from New Jersey for a 1998 fifth-round pick. On Wednesday, Keenan showed which direction he wants the Canucks to head by trading skilled forward Geoff Sanderson for bruiser Brad May.

"He likes big men, which is fine and dandy, but there are a lot of players under six feet who can play and be very effective," said Sillinger, who is 5-foot-10, 190 pounds. "I didn't fit into his plans. He played a couple of mind games with me. . . . Every time he comes to a new place, the headlines say he's changed. He doesn't change, because he wins."

Not with Vancouver, Keenan hasn't. The despotic one billed himself as Keenan Lite when the Canucks hired him to replace Tom Renney, and the Canucks jumped out to a 5-1-2 start under Keenan's stewardship. But the Canucks have lost eight of 11, including a seven game losing streak and are on a 4-14-4. They are 11-20-6 under Keenan and would need a miracle to make the playoffs.

"Mike has been frustrated," Linden said. "When you look to change things, you change the thing that's been there the longest. . . . This can happen."

Keenan may not be done, though he'll have to wait through the roster freeze, which started at 9 last night and is in effect until February 24. Mogilny may yet become an ex-Canuck, and toughie Gino Odjick, rumored for weeks to be on the block, could also be gone. In Odjick, May, Donald Brashear, Scott Walker and Steve Staios, the Canucks have willing pugilists.

While the Canucks can dole out punishment with their fists, they've been taking their lumps on the scoreboard. At least Keenan can say the team is his vision, which doesn't include a view of Trevor Linden.